Poverty & Education

The crushing effects of poverty branch out and manifest in exponentially negative ways and reverberate throughout our community. I believe the single most important issue that we must tackle in District 3 and in the City of Las Cruces is poverty reduction.

As wealth inequality continues to grow throughout our country, we feel its paralyzing effects in New Mexico, one of the poorest states in the nation. In particular, intergenerational poverty affects our families’ ability to attain equitable and quality healthcare, to secure higher education, job training and workforce development skills, and to provide a brighter future for the next generation.

It’s no mystery that poverty disproportionately affects Hispanic families and children in Las Cruces, and as your City Councilor, I will make it my priority to develop common-sense policies, programs, and support community and grassroots initiatives that target those who are most in need.

Alleviating the effects of poverty while simultaneously addressing its root causes is a daunting task, but it’s a challenge that we must meet head-on. This includes a mix of workforce development opportunities, job skills and training, youth mentorship, comprehensive economic development efforts, and access to higher education. Education has the power to unlock the talents and skills of our youth and their families, and as such, the access and quality of education must be equitable and reflective of the needs of our community. Overtesting, burdensome state regulations that prevent teachers from doing their best job, and wasted taxpayer dollars spent on national contracts to large out-of-state corporations undermine our community’s ability to provide the best possible education to our youth and non-traditional students.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformative power of education, and how it can help families escape the grips of poverty, and I’ll work for the residents and families of District 3 and the City of Las Cruces to ensure that the city stands with them, and not against them, in their efforts to attain a high-quality education.